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The Perfect Baked Potato

February 11, 2022 | Side Dish

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Close up shot of the top of a baked potato cut open, fluffed, and topped with butter and pepper; Cheese sauce dripping down a baked potato topped with broccoli.
A baked potato topped with chili, cheese, and green onions.
Cheese sauce dripping down a baked potato topped with broccoli.
A plain Baked Potato on a plate cut open, fluffed and topped with a pat of butter, and sprinkled with pepper.
Cheese sauce dripping down a baked potato topped with broccoli.

A Baked Potato is such a simple, inexpensive, easy, and delicious dish! Make the perfect potato by following a few simple tricks. Serve it with butter, chili, broccoli & cheese sauce, or loaded with bacon, cheese & sour cream.

Close up shot of the top of a baked potato cut open, fluffed, and topped with butter and pepper.

Baked Potatoes are such a simple and tasty classic! They can be eaten plain with butter and salt or turned into a full meal by topping it with ALL the things! Serve your potatoes as a side to Beef Brisket,

A plain Baked Potato on a plate cut open, fluffed and topped with a pat of butter, and sprinkled with pepper.

Baked Potato 4 Ways

If you think baked potatoes are lame, you’re probably just not making them right. Follow this recipe that includes all the trick and tips to creating the perfect baked potato.

Baked Potatoes topped differently- chili & cheese; broccoli & cheese sauce; and cheese, bacon sour cream, and chives.

Ingredients for Baked Potatoes:

  • Russet Potatoes– This is a very starchy potato that results in a fluffy soft interior when baked.
  • Olive Oil– This oil has good flavor as well as a high smoke point making it a good option since the potatoes are baked at 450°F.
  • Kosher Salt– This large granular salt is free from additives that can take on a metallic taste. The larger granulates also make it easier to handle and apply without over doing it.
Potatoes, oil jar, and salt bowl on a marble surface.

How to Bake a Potato :

Time needed: 1 hour

  1. Prep oven

    Adjust oven rack so it is in the center of the oven and preheat to 450°F. 

  2. Clean Potatoes

    Wash and scrub the potatoes. Dry thoroughly.
    Poke each potato all over with a fork ~12 times going about 1 inch deep. This will allow steam to escape.
    Diptych- scrubbing a potato; poking a potato with a fork.

  3. Prep Potatoes

    Rub the potatoes lightly with oil and then rub with salt.A raw russet potato poked with holes, covered in oil and salt.

  4. Bake

    Carefully place potatoes directly on the wire rack (I like to place foil on the rack underneath to catch any drips). Bake until they can easily be poked with a fork (45-60 minutes depending on the size). Optimal internal temperature is 205°F. Other signs of doneness are hissing sounds and tiny bubbles coming rom the poked holes.

  5. Serve

    Cut the potatoes open immediately and fluff with a fork. (This allows the moisture to escape so the potato stays light and fluffy instead of continue to steam and become gummy.) Serve with desired toppings.

Top view of a baked potato topped with broccoli & cheese sauce.

Baked Potato Toppings:

  • Butter with Salt & Pepper- This is simple yet still so delicious! This is a healthy easy side for any meal.
  • Chili, shredded cheese, and green onions- This is my favorite chili and it’s made quickly in the pressure cooker. Adding this on top helps stretch your chili to feed more mouths and it turns a basic side into a whole meal!
  • Broccoli and Cheese Sauce– If you are having trouble getting your kids or even yourself to eat vegetables, just add cheese sauce!
  • Cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives- Fully load your baked potatoes with these tasty toppings for a side that everyone will be excited for.

FAQs

How to know when a baked potato is done?

Signs that a baked potato is done cooking: faint hissing sounds, tiny bubbles coming from steam holes, it can be poked deep easily with a fork, and the skin will be wrinkled.
To be exact, use an instant-read thermometer. According to Cook’s Illustrated (tested 400 potatoes), the optimal internal temperature is 205°F. At this temperature the potato should be evenly cooked.

At what temperature should you cook Baked Potatoes ?

450°F results in the best bake potatoes. At this temperature they cook evenly, making the inside flesh tender and the skin crispy.

How long to Bake Potatoes?

It depends! For a 10 ounce potato baked at 450°F, it takes approximately 45 minutes. It can take shorter or longer is your potato is smaller or larger.

Should I wrap my potato in foil?

No! Wrapping a potato in foil traps the steam creating a dense glue-like texture. Leave the foil off if you want a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.

Why rub the potatoes with oil?

Rubbing potatoes with oil results in a beautifully shiny, brown, and crisp skin. It also allows the salt to stick to the outside of the potato.

Why poke a potato with holes before baking?

Poking a potato with holes creates a path for the steam to escape while baking. This will not only prevent the potato from exploding and creating a mess in the oven, but it also creates a light fluffy interior.

What are the best kind of potatoes for baking?

Russets! Some refer to them as “Idaho Potatoes” but that term can be applied to any type of potato grown in the state of Idaho. Russets are long, tapered, and dull brown. These potatoes are high in starch and cook best using dry heat methods.

How to reheat a baked potato?

Reheat in the oven at 325°F directly on the oven rack until warmed (about 15-20 minutes).

How to store baked potatoes?

Allow baked potatoes to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Why cut open immedatiely?

Cutting open the potatoes immediately allows the steam to escape. If trapped, the steam will cause the interior to become dense and gummy.

Can I eat the potato skin?

Yes, as long as you wash them well. The potato skin is actually very nutritious and contains a lot of fiber.

Why does my potato have a greenish skin?

When potatoes are not store properly (exposed to light) they can form chlorophyll. This isn’t harmful but it is a sign that the toxin solanine is present. The green skin can be peeled and cut out to reduce levels of the toxin but if it’s extensively green, it’s best to throw the potato out. (Read more here)

TOOLS USED TO MAKE A BAKED POTATO:

  • Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer– I wish I had gotten this sooner! This quick read thermometer helps you cook your meats to the adequate temperature. No more raw chicken or over cooked steak! I also use this for making bread, candy, baking the perfect potato… Best $14 I’ve ever spent!
Three fluffed and buttered baked potatoes on plates.

LOOKING FOR MORE POTATO RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE:

  • The BEST Mashed Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Creamy Potato Soup
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
A plain Baked Potato on a plate cut open, fluffed and topped with a pat of butter, and sprinkled with pepper.
Print Recipe

How to Bake a Potato

A Baked Potato is such a simple, inexpensive, easy, and delicious dish! Serve it plain or topped with chili, broccoli & cheese sauce, or loaded with bacon, cheese & sour cream.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time55 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr
Servings: 4
Calories: 186kcal
Author: Garnish and Glaze

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes, (about 10 ounce each = 2.5 pounds)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • kosher salt

Instructions

  • Adjust oven rack so it is in the center of the oven and preheat to 450°F.
  • Wash the potatoes well and then dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
  • Poke each potato all over with a fork 8-10 times going about 1 inch deep. This will allow steam to escape.
  • Rub the potatoes lightly with oil and then rub with salt.
  • Carefully place potatoes directly on the wire rack (I like to place foil on the rack underneath to catch any drips). Bake until they can easily be poked with a fork (45-60 minutes depending on the size). Optimal internal temperature is 205°F. Other signs of doneness are hissing sounds and tiny bubbles coming rom the poked holes.
  • Cut the potatoes open immediately and fluff with a fork. Serve with desired toppings:
    Butter and salt & pepper
    Chili, cheese, and green onions
    Steamed broccoli and cheese sauce
    Cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked potato
Nutrition Facts
How to Bake a Potato
Amount Per Serving
Calories 186 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 11mg0%
Potassium 888mg25%
Carbohydrates 38g13%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 2IU0%
Vitamin C 12mg15%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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